Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed for absorbing liquids, particularly body fluids such as urine. An absorbent core is encased in an outer covering layer to which flaps are connected along the longitudinal sides. The flaps are elasticized and have a leakage resistant portion which is non-wicking, non-absorbent and liquid impermeable.

Abstract: An integral disposable absorbent article such as a diaper having an absorbent core, a backsheet, a continuous topsheet, an elastically contractible leg cuff along each longitudinal edge, and a pair of floating inner cuffs extending longitudinally along the absorbent article in at least the crotch region. The floating inner cuffs provide enhanced containment of body exudates and enhanced fit. The floating inner cuffs each preferably comprise a cuff layer, a base layer underlaying the cuff layer, a first seam that affixes a portion of the cuff layer to the base layer, a central seam that affixes another portion of the cuff layer to the base layer, an unadhered stand-up portion of the cuff layer between the first seam and the central seam, and a central elastic member having a pair of affixed portions and an unaffixed portion between the pair of affixed portions.

Abstract: An integral disposable absorbent article such as a diaper provided with an absorbent core, a liquid impervious backsheet, an elastically contractible gasketing cuff preferably formed by a gasketing flap and a flap elastic member, a barrier cuff having a flap portion and a channel portion comprising a proximal edge and a distal edge, and a liquid pervious topsheet. The topsheet extends outwardly toward the edge of the absorbent core and terminates inwardly of the proximal edge. A seal means for adjoining the proximal edge to the gasketing flap is positioned along the proximal edge so as to provide a leakage-resistant seal along the proximal edge. The barrier cuffs may be provided with spacing means for spacing the distal edges away from the liquid-receiving surface so as to enhance the containment characteristics of the barrier cuffs.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article such as a diaper having an outer covering layer comprising a liquid pervious topsheet and a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core encased in the outer covering layer, and at least one cuff member extending outwardly from and along an edge of the absorbent core. The cuff member comprises an upper layer, a base layer, a cantilever flap interposed between the upper layer and the base layer and having a fixed edge and a distal edge, and gathering means such as a plurality of elastic members secured to the cantilever flap. The cuff member enhances containment and fit of the absorbent article and minimizes cuff roll-out and collapse during use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable absorbent article such as an incontinent pad that is both comfortable and suitable for absorbing and containing large volumes of body liquids rapidly without leakage, especially a subsequent gush of liquid. Such an absorbent article comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, a layered expandable absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, at least two resilient shaping members, an acquisition channel, a liquid acquisition zone and at least two liquid impervious shelves. The present invention also relates to an absorbent article provided with an expandable overwrap having an expansion means for allowing the overwrap to expand when the absorbent core swells when wetted. The liquid impervious shelves comprise a multiplicity of shelf layers formed from a portion of the backsheet being folded.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable absorbent article such as an incontinent pad that is both comfortable and suitable for absorbing and containing large volumes of body liquids rapidly without leakage, especially a subsequent gush of liquid. Such an absorbent article comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, a layered expandable absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, at least two resilient shaping members, an acquisition channel, a liquid acquisition zone and at least two liquid impervious shelves. The present invention also relates to an absorbent article provided with an expandable overwrap having an expansion means for allowing the overwrap to expand when the absorbent core swells when wetted. The resilient shaping members of the present invention provide an improved absorbent article design having raised side edges and an acquisition channel.

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of providing a multiplicity of streams of air-entrained fibers. The apparatus is of the type which includes a splitting member having multiple ports disposed in and along the surface of the splitting member; a first conduit duct in communication with a first port for directing a column of air past a first port to cause a portion of the column of fibers to split off and be drawn into the first conduit duct; and a second conduit duct in communication with a second port for directing a column of air past a second port to cause a second portion of the column of fibers to split off and be drawn into the second conduit duct.

Abstract: A sheet material dispensing package which includes a U-folded bundle of sheets of material and a carton wherein the carton includes integral elements for substantially obviating rotational shifting of the bundle during shipping and handling. In a preferred embodiment, lower distal corner portions of the more interior closure flaps of the carton are configured to extend sufficiently into the carton to engage side portions of the bundle to effectively key the bundle to the carton and thereby substantially preclude rotational shifting of the bundle inside the carton.

Abstract: Pulps having a tactile sense of softness which are made from hardwoods and processes for making such pulps. The process comprises the steps of: providing hardwood chips having specified sizes; introducing the chips into a digester; removing substantially all the free oxygen from the chips within the digester; providing a cooking liquor comprising from about 0.4% to about 3% ammonia and from about 9% to about 14% sulphur dioxide; completely submerging in cooking liquor all the chips within the digester; sulfonating the lignin within the chips at a temperature of less than about 110.degree. C.; rapidly increasing the temperature to an appropriate hydrolysis temperature; hydrolyzing the lignin sulfonation products at a temperature of from about 140.degree. to about 155.degree. C. at a pH from about 2 to about 3; and rapidly reducing the temperature of the system following the hydrolysis. Pulps made by this process were made into useful tissue paper webs having enhanced softness properties.

Abstract: Disposable diapers having elasticized waistbands which are shaped to conform to the wearers' waists and methods of making them. The shaped disposable diapers are made by affixing an elastomeric material having a heat unstable state and a heat stable and elastic state to the diaper while the elastomeric material is in its heat unstable state and then heating the elastomeric material while the diaper is restrained in a folded configuration.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having an improved side closure is disclosed. The disposable diaper is provided with an outer fastening means and an inner fastening means. The outer fastening means maintains the waist portions of the diaper in an overlapping configuration while the inner fastening means reduces shifting of the overlapping portions.

Abstract: An absorbent article having improved adhesive attachment means to secure the absorbent article in the crotch region of a garment. The adhesive attachments means of this invention consists of an adhesive pattern having the shape of a block "I". The block I being defined by a base portion, a stem portion, and a head portion.

Abstract: Disposable diapers having liquid impermeable waistshields and elastically expansible waistbands. The waistshields and waistbands are formed of a single--unitary--liquid impermeable material. In preferred embodiments, the waistshield/waistband is formed of a material which has a heat unstable state and a heat stable and elastic state. In diapers ready for use, the waistband portion is relatively more heat stable and elastic than the waistshield portion.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided wherein web material is unwound from successive rolls of web material by imparting a constant draw in the web material. The web is then forwarded through a constant tension zone to downstream equipment such as a converter for manufacturing disposable absorbent products. The constant tension zone is provided to isolate the web being forwarded under constant tension from tension fluctuations which may occur in the constant draw unwind portion of the apparatus: such tension fluctuations being relatively large in magnitude and random in nature especially with net-like webs, and blocking prone web marterials. A splicer is provided in the constant tension zone in close proximity to the constant-draw unwind to effect splices near the tail end of a just depleted roll of web but prior to the tail end passing out of the constant-draw unwind portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for obtaining a fatty acid product from a glyceride oil soapstock. The process includes the following steps:(a) An acidulated soapstock is formed by reacting the glyceride oil soapstock with an aqueous mineral acid solution.(b) The acidulated soapstock is separated into an aqueous solution and a fatty material/emulsified sludge material mixture.(c) The fatty/sludge mixture is dried to a moisture content of less than about 5%, such that the emulsion in the emulsified sludge material is substantially broken.(d) The dried fatty/sludge mixture is separated into the fatty acid product and a solids residue.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper or an incontinent brief having indicia means provided for aiding an individual fitting the article to a wearer to obtain optimal waist fit and leg opening fit. Indicia means are provided in an area at least coextensive with a part of an area to which fastening means are affixed to the article when the article is fitted to a wearer. Indicia, as used herein are any type of lines, patterns, ornamental designs, symbols, script, color codes, or other markings which have the capability, either inherently or with additional denotation, to aid an individual fitting the article to promptly locate a desired affixation point for a particular fastening means.

Abstract: A disposable diaper having front and rear waist portions and comprising a liquid permeable topsheet; a liqid impermeable backsheet affixed to the topsheet; an absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; a crotch portion located intermediate the front and rear waist portions; a pair of side flaps; and crotch tensioning means associated with each of the side flaps. The absorbent core has oppositely disposed end portions and a pair of longitudinally disposed side edges therebetween. The crotch tensioning means further comprises one or more elasticized members extending from an attachment area in the crotch portion of the diaper, across the respective side flap, to a location longitudinally outside of the crotch portion. The crotch tensioning means thereby tend to impose outward lateral tension on the crotch portion of the diaper when in use.

Abstract: A waste containment garment such as a disposable diaper or a disposable adult brief having elasticized leg flaps which are configured and disposed to present longitudinally extending, inboard facing barrier walls that are positioned outboard from the side edges of the crotch portion of the absorbent core. Such barrier walls function as dams against lateral flow of body wastes, particularly of a runny solids nature.